LNG hitting the roads – Volvo’s new LNG-powered truck refueled for the first time in Finland

Volvo has introduced the first LNG-powered heavy-duty truck offering a viable alternative for heavy regional and long-haul operations in Finland. Announced to the market in late 2017, the Volvo FH LNG is a concrete alternative to diesel engines for long-haul applications, including for towing full trailers. A clean and cost-effective alternative, liquefied natural gas (LNG) is becoming a more common fuel for heavy-duty vehicles on Finland’s roads.

LNG is a clean fuel aimed at heavy-duty transport. Its use provides many benefits as, compared with other fuels, LNG generates lower local as well as fine particulate emissions. Utilizing LNG contributes towards the achievement of Finland’s emission targets and a carbon-neutral future.

“As regards heavy-duty fleets, LNG is the best alternative to diesel among the currently available solutions. The tank-to-wheel carbon dioxide emissions of the new Volvo FH LNG truck are at least 20% lower than those from fossil fuel use. The demand for the new model has been a positive surprise, and the first orders have already been submitted to the factory,” says Volvo Business Solutions Manager Vesa Soppi.

LNG-fueled vehicles can be refueled at Gasum’s LNG filling stations, of which there are currently four in Finland: in Helsinki, Vantaa, Turku and Jyväskylä. Gasum is committed to the development of a low-emission road fuel gas market. In line with this, several new stations will be added to the Gasum gas filling station network this year. LNG stations are being planned for locations including Kuopio, Lahti, Oulu and Seinäjoki. Gasum aims to expand its LNG filling station network also to Sweden and Norway during this year. The purpose of the gas filling station network expansion is to respond to the growing demand for LNG to fuel heavy-duty fleets seen throughout the Nordic countries.

“We are very excited to be now able to offer a more efficient and cleaner alternative to diesel in heavy long-haul transport. We know that the number of LNG-powered vehicles will increase in Finland. There is clear demand among our customers for LNG-powered vehicles as enterprises want to cut their costs as well as their emissions in the various parts of the value chain. Volvo is one of Finland’s best-selling heavy-duty vehicle manufacturers and this a popular model,” Jani Arala, Senior Manager, Sales, Gasum, sums up.

According to the Vehicular and Driver Data Register, there are more than 4,600 gas-fueled vehicles in use in Finland. The number increased by around 1,000 over the first quarter of 2018.

The energy company Gasum is a Nordic gas sector expert. Together with its partners, Gasum is building a bridge towards a carbon-neutral society on land and at sea. Gasum imports natural gas to Finland and promotes the circular economy by processing waste and producing biogas and recycled nutrients in Finland and Sweden. The company offers energy for heat and power production, industry as well as road and maritime transport. Gasum is the leading supplier of biogas in the Nordic countries. The company has a gas filling station network that also serves heavy-duty vehicles. The Gasum subsidiary Skangas is the leading liquefied natural gas (LNG) player in the Nordic market. The company continues to strengthen the position and infrastructure of LNG and supplies LNG to maritime transport, industry and heavy-duty vehicles in Finland, Sweden and Norway. www.gasum.com.

Volvo Trucks is part of the Volvo Group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of heavy commercial vehicles and diesel engines. The company, which was founded in 1927, is publicly held and employs more than 100,000 people. The Volvo Group headquarters in Gothenburg, Sweden, and is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of trucks, buses, construction equipment and marine and industrial engines. www.volvotrucks.com.

Marcus Clinker

Marcus is a reporter on the Political Capital team focusing on money in politics. Before joining Daily Telescope, he worked as a researcher and writer for the Institute for Northern Studies at Ohio State University and as a freelance journalist in Portalnd, having been published by over 20 outlets including NPR, the Center for Media and Democracy,The Huffington Post, Salon, Truthout and VICE.com.